KARL HEDLEY previews The Festival at Cheltenham 2018.
Champion Hurdle
I tipped Buveur D’Air to win this race last year and he duly obliged. This time he can retain his crown with the minimum of fuss. He has scared away the opposition all winter and has barely come out of second gear to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, the Christmas Hurdle and a listed race at Sandown last month. He is undefeated in nine races and any softening of the ground would be in his favour. The best is yet to come from this Nicky Henderson trained seven-year-old and despite likely short odds he can take the main event on the opening day.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Altior has not been beaten since running at Punchestown in April 2015. Since then he has won 12 consecutive times seeing off a range of up and coming challengers including Fox Norton, Charbel, Black Corton and the multiple grade one winning Special Tiara. Nicky Henderson unleashed this superstar at Newbury last month where he defeated Politilogue with considerable ease. He only had to be nudged out to record a facile win. That should have cleared away any lingering cobwebs and he can follow up his recent Festival wins in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and the Arkle by landing this prize.
Stayers' Hurdle
Sam Spinner has been kept for this race since routing the opposition in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas. He stayed on gamely to see off the talented and likely re-opposing L’Ami Serge and Unowhatimeanharry. Prior to that win he annihilated the opposition in what was an extremely competitive renewal of the Betfair Stayers Hurdle at Haydock on bottomless ground. The further the went the better he looked as he saw off the attentions of The Dutchman by sixteen or seventeen lengths. He has worked his way up the ranks and has nothing to fear from those lining up against him.
This year's Cheltenham Festvial takes place March 13-16Gold Cup
Road To Respect comes here very much as the dark horse in the race despite winning four of his last five starts. He first came to my attention last year when winning the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate by six lengths. Since then he has picked up wins at Fairyhouse, Punchestown and most notably when reversing Down Royal form with Outlander to win the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown last time out. Likely to be partnered once again by Sean Flanagan the improving duo may just have the class to see off Might Bite, Native River and Our Duke in what looks an extremely competitive renewal of the Festival showpiece.
Arkle Challenge Trophy
Footpad has always promised to be a decent type and he has fulfilled that hype this year since switching from hurdles to fences. Wins at Navan and two at Leopardstown have been scintillating to watch and he looks the one that they all have to beat here. He was fourth in the Champion Hurdle last season was placed at the Festival the year before in the Triumph so he certainly handles the track. With the assistance of Ruby Walsh in the saddle, the combination look to be major players in what is starting to look like a fascinating race.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Getabird represents Willie Mullins who has won three of the last five renewals of the opening contest at the Festival with the likes of Douvan, Vautour and Champagne Fever. All of those horses carried the Rich Ricci silks and this time around the highly regarded Getabird does likewise. Undefeated in four starts since joining the yard, Getabird has won with something in hand on his two most recent starts seeing off the likes of Menghli Khan and Impact Factor by seven and nine lengths respectively. Ruby Walsh will be keen to get the week off to a good start for the owner who endured a torrid Christmas period. Punters are likely to be in clover if Getabird swoops home.
Ryanair Chase
Un De Sceaux will be carrying many Irish hopes as he looks for a third Festival success in four years as he too bids to retain his Ryanair crown. His track record reads 1211 and his army of owners and fans alike will be cheering him on from the stands. He is at home on any ground and has already notched up victories at Cork and Ascot this season. Despite being a 10-year-old, he has relatively few miles on the clock and comes into this with a perfect preparation. Top Cheltenham jockey Ruby Walsh is likely to ride and they are likely to strike fear into the hearts of their rivals with another power packed display.
Glenfarclas Chase
Cause Of Causes warmed up for this with a prep run at Leopardstown last month. Whilst finishing down the field on that occasion, the run will have brought him on in leaps and bounds. He put in a similar sort of performance ahead of this race at the Festival last year. He has taken the switch to cross country in his stride and looks sure to add to a good week for Gordon Elliott. Jamie Codd is likely to ride once again and the combination ought to go very close.
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